Is crate training your puppy turning into a battle of guilt, barking, and second-guessing?
In this episode, I’m sharing practical and effective puppy crate training tips that will help you and your dog feel more confident and calm—without the chaos.
The truth is, when done with patience and positive reinforcement, crate training a puppy is one of the most powerful tools for raising a calm, resilient dog. In fact, the benefits of crate training a puppy go far beyond giving yourself a break—it’s about teaching independence, creating structure, and supporting your dog’s emotional wellbeing.
And if the idea of a crate still doesn’t sit right with you? No worries! I’ll also introduce several tried-and-true alternatives to crate training that can fit your lifestyle and still help your pup develop the crucial life skill of being okay on their own.
Here’s what I’m covering in this episode:
- Why some puppies struggle more than others, and how to tell whether it’s normal whining or something more serious—plus the first puppy crate training tips you should try
- What most people get wrong about crate training a puppy, and the step-by-step approach that actually works
- How to replace guilt with confidence by understanding the real benefits of crate training a puppy
- The best-kept secrets for creating a positive crate association—even if your puppy already hates it
- When crates don’t work: 4 smart and safe alternatives to crate training (and how to know which one’s right for your pup)
By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clearer understanding of why crate training matters, how to make it successful, and how to pivot if it just isn’t working for your household.
Whether you’re using a crate or exploring alternatives to crate training, there’s something here for every puppy parent.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Whether you’re using a crate or exploring alternatives to crate training, there’s something here for every puppy parent.
Connect with Staci Lemke:
EPISODE TRANSCRIPT:
[00:00:00] Staci Lemke: What if I told you that one of the most powerful ways to raise a confident, well adjusted dog is by teaching them how to be alone? Crate training and alone time practice aren’t just about giving yourself a break. They’re an essential life skill for your puppy. Yet this part of puppy raising often brings frustration, guilt, and a whole lot of crying and barking.
[00:00:25] Staci Lemke: If you are struggling with Crate training your new puppy, then tune in because in today’s episode of the Well-Mannered Mutt podcast, I’m discussing puppy crate training and alone time. I’ll cover why puppies protest in the crate, how to build the skill of being alone without distress, and why. Using a crate now sets your dog up for success later in life.
[00:00:49] Staci Lemke: And if you’re a puppy parent who feels guilty creating your baby, you’re not alone. I’ll give you some tips to help you feel better about using a crate, and if you just can’t bring yourself to do it, I’ll give you some alternative confinement options. So let’s get started. Why do some puppies cry and whine in their crate while others are just fine?
[00:01:12] Staci Lemke: Well, first, let’s normalize this. Crying in the crate doesn’t mean something is wrong with your puppy, and it doesn’t mean that you’re doing something wrong either. Puppies are hardwired to stay close to their litter mates, and mom, suddenly being alone is a huge change. Puppies cry to communicate, especially when they’re confused.
[00:01:32] Staci Lemke: Uncomfortable or just figuring out the world. Here are some common reasons why puppies might vocalize in their crate they’ve never been alone before. Being alone is a brand new experience for most puppies. They are used to sleeping in a pile of litter mates and following their people around everywhere.
[00:01:50] Staci Lemke: Crate training introduces the concept of separation, which is a big adjustment. Their needs haven’t been met. A puppy that needs to go potty is hungry or has too much energy may cry because they’re genuinely uncomfortable. Before confining your puppy, always make sure their needs have been met, including a recent potty break.
[00:02:09] Staci Lemke: Some kind of physical activity like chasing a flirt pole or playing fetch some kind of mental stimulation, such as eating from a food dispensing toy, and you want ’em to have a full belly, but not too full. Lack of proper crate training or a negative association with the crate can also make puppies uncomfortable.
[00:02:29] Staci Lemke: It’s up to us to teach our puppies that the crate is a comfortable, safe place. If you use the crate, only when you leave or only when something stressful happens, or only when your puppy is going to be left alone for a long period of time, your puppy will quickly associate it with negative experiences without us working to form positive associations, they’re going to object to being placed inside.
[00:02:53] Staci Lemke: Crate training isn’t just about putting your puppy in the crate and hoping for the best. It’s a step-by-step learning process that starts with positive low pressure experiences. Here are some ways that you can help your puppy form a positive association with the crate. Feed your puppies meals in the crate, but leave the door open.
[00:03:11] Staci Lemke: Use special chews in the crate. I like toys that you can stuff with soft food and freeze. Let your puppy explore the crate freely during playtime. You can toss toys into the crate and allow your dog to retrieve them from the crate. Start with short training sessions while you’re sitting nearby. Don’t leave the room at first.
[00:03:30] Staci Lemke: Gradually close the door for a few seconds, then a few minutes. Reward your puppy with a few tasty treats when they’re calm in the crate. You can try covering or partially covering the crate, playing white noise, running a box fan, and putting the crate in a low traffic, quiet area of your house. Once your puppy starts to associate going in the crate with good stuff, we can start to introduce the concept of being alone and being alone doesn’t come naturally to puppies.
[00:03:58] Staci Lemke: It’s a learned skill that takes time, consistency, and patience. The goal is to teach your puppy that wonderful things happen for them when they’re alone. Or at least that they’re safe and nothing bad is going to happen. But before I launch into how to teach your puppy to be comfortable, when alone, I want to compare normal puppy protesting with true separation anxiety.
[00:04:20] Staci Lemke: I. It is totally normal for puppies to cry when first learning to be alone, but not all. Crying is a cause for concern. Understanding the difference between a normal puppy protest and true separation anxiety can help you respond appropriately and prevent long-term issues. So a normal puppy protest is usually gonna happen right after you leave.
[00:04:42] Staci Lemke: The puppy may vocalize, dig or pace, but then settles within a few minutes. It is often triggered by frustration or confusion about what’s happening and tends to improve with consistent training and routine. When the puppy is left alone, they can be distracted with toys, food puzzles, or chew items. And what this means is that your puppy is learning.
[00:05:03] Staci Lemke: They just need practice at being alone and positive reinforcement to help them feel secure. Now let’s compare that with a puppy that exhibits true separation anxiety. The puppy will show panic level behaviors, which often escalate over time, so intense, nonstop barking or howling, drooling, panting, or pacing escape attempts such as scratching at the doors, chewing at the bars, soiling the crate or themselves.
[00:05:31] Staci Lemke: This behavior doesn’t improve with practice over time and may even worsen. The puppy may start to become distressed even when you’re just preparing to leave, like picking up your keys or putting on your shoes, and they may not eat or engage with food or toys when left alone. If you are seeing these signs, this is beyond simple training and likely needs a behavior plan with professional support.
[00:05:56] Staci Lemke: But how do you know for sure? Well, one thing you can do is set up a camera so that you can observe your puppy when you are outta sight or when you leave them alone. Many new puppy parents think their puppy has separation anxiety when they whine and cry when left alone, and that’s a totally normal conclusion.
[00:06:13] Staci Lemke: So it’s important to make sure that you know what you’re seeing so you can be sure. Okay, now let’s move on to how to teach your puppy to be comfortable being alone. Be present but passive. Sit near your puppy while they’re in their confinement space, but don’t interact with them. Read a book. Work on the computer, squirrel through social media.
[00:06:33] Staci Lemke: This teaches them that they don’t need your constant attention to be okay. Practice short absences. Step out of sight for five to 10 seconds, then calmly return. Don’t interact with the puppy. Just leave and return. Increase the time gradually mixing up how long you’re gone so it’s not predictable.
[00:06:52] Staci Lemke: Simulate, departures, and add in daily departure cues. Grab your keys, put on your shoes, walk to the door without actually leaving, and this helps to desensitize your puppy to those triggers. As you start to actually leave the room or the house, set up a camera or your phone to check how your puppy responds.
[00:07:11] Staci Lemke: When they’re there alone, are they settling or are they escalating? Mix it up. Practice multiple short absences per day in different rooms with different setups to help the puppy generalize the skill. For those of you who don’t like the idea of creating your puppy, that’s okay. You’re not alone. Many puppy parents feel guilty about crate training, especially when their puppy fusses wines or gives those big sad eyes.
[00:07:37] Staci Lemke: It’s a natural reaction. You want your puppy to feel loved, secure, and happy, and seeing them upset can tug at your heartstrings. But here’s the truth. When used thoughtfully and consistently, crates are not a form of punishment. They’re a place of peace. Far from being cruel. Crate training is one of the kindest things you can do for your puppy.
[00:07:59] Staci Lemke: You’re not locking your puppy away. You’re giving them a space to rest, regulate and recharge. Think of it like a toddler’s crib. We don’t put a toddler in a crib because we’re trying to be mean. We do it because rest routine and boundaries help young minds and bodies grow. Puppies are no different. They thrive on structure and consistency.
[00:08:20] Staci Lemke: I. Crates provide structure. Puppies feel more confident when they know what to expect. A crate gives them clear signals. This is where I settle down and rest. A crate provides safety. When you can’t supervise your pup, a crate keeps them safe from chewing cords. Swallowing something dangerous or getting into trouble and crates provide a calm zone over-stimulated puppies need a way to decompress.
[00:08:46] Staci Lemke: The crate becomes their sanctuary. A place where no one will bug them and they can reset. When done properly, many puppies choose the crate. They nap in there with the door open. They take their favorite chew toy inside, it becomes their bedroom, not a timeout corner. So let go of the guilt and replace it with intention.
[00:09:06] Staci Lemke: Every time you help your puppy settle in their crate, you are teaching them resilience, independence, and trust. You’re not taking something away. You’re giving them a life skill of how to be calm. Still not convinced. Let me offer you some alternatives to the crate exercise. Pens also often called X pens.
[00:09:28] Staci Lemke: These offer more room than a crate, which can be helpful for puppies who are still potty training or need a bit more space to move around. You can set it up with a bed, water bowl, chew toys, and a potty station. It’s great for gradual transitions to full freedom in the house. You can expand or reduce space depending on how your puppy is doing, and it’s ideal for longer periods of time when a crate might feel too restrictive.
[00:09:52] Staci Lemke: You can also use a baby gated room. Designating a puppy safe area in the home, like a laundry room, kitchen or hallway, can be a great way to provide more freedom with built-in boundaries. Make sure the room is fully puppy proof, so you’re going to remove cords in any small items that they could get into.
[00:10:11] Staci Lemke: Puppies can still see and hear the household, which can reduce frustration. Use this setup to teach relaxation away from the action without total isolation. Portable play yards are another alternative. These are lightweight, foldable setups that work well in apartments, outdoor areas, or when traveling. It gives your puppy a familiar space no matter where you are.
[00:10:33] Staci Lemke: It’s useful for camping trips, hotel stays, or visiting friends and family, and you can keep the setup consistent by including their bed, their toys, and their comfort items. Tethering is another option, and tethering involves clipping your puppy’s harness to a short leash, secured to a heavy piece of furniture or a tether anchor while you’re nearby.
[00:10:53] Staci Lemke: You wanna make sure that if you’re tethering your puppy, that you are supervising this because you don’t want them to get tangled up if you’re not there. And tethering helps manage freedom in small doses. It encourages your puppy to rest near you without wandering, and you can use a bed. Chew toys in a nice, calm environment.
[00:11:10] Staci Lemke: Never use tethering unsupervised. It’s a management tool, not a long-term confinement solution. Personally, I use all of these along with a crate when I’m raising a puppy. By rotating your puppy between a crate, an xan, a gated room, or a tether, you’re helping them become comfortable in multiple environments.
[00:11:30] Staci Lemke: You’re building a flexible, well-rounded puppy who isn’t reliant on just one setup. While most pet parents only use a crate when their dogs are puppies, crate training in Puppyhood makes a huge difference once your puppy grows up. And I can guarantee you that at some point in your dog’s life, they will be confined to a cage, a crate, or a run.
[00:11:53] Staci Lemke: So let’s explore some of these medical situations. If your dog ever needs surgery, hospitalization, or recovery from an injury, being comfortable in a crate can make the process less stressful for both of you. Traveling. Whether you’re driving across town or flying across the country, a crate trained dog travels more safely and calmly.
[00:12:14] Staci Lemke: Life transitions new baby, visiting relatives, moving homes. The crate give your dog a reliable retreat when life gets chaotic. Preventing behavior issues. Crates are a useful management tool during teething, overstimulation, or house training. Setbacks and emotional regulation. Dogs who crate train early learn to settle themselves even in unfamiliar or overwhelming environments.
[00:12:42] Staci Lemke: Now what about if you’ve already given up on the crate? If your puppy’s already gotten used to freedom in the house, introducing the crate can feel like a step backwards, but it’s totally doable. I. Here’s how to reintroduce the crate First, change your mindset. The crate is a safe space, not a punishment.
[00:13:01] Staci Lemke: Frame it as their bedroom. A place to relax and reset. Make it rewarding. Feed meals in the crate. Toss treats in for free exploration, reserve special, long lasting, chew or stuffed toys exclusively for crate time. Play Crate Games. Practice sending them in and outta the crate for reward. Keep it light and playful.
[00:13:22] Staci Lemke: Catch them when sleepy. Guide your puppy to nap in the crate during natural down times. This builds a positive association with rest. Build time slowly. Once your puppy is comfortable lying down in the crate, begin short absences. Leave the room for a few seconds, then minutes. Return calmly and increase time gradually, and manage freedom.
[00:13:42] Staci Lemke: Don’t give unlimited access to the house while retraining crate habits. Use baby gates, closed doors or set up pens to encourage rest time in their crate. A crate doesn’t have to be your only option, but it’s a powerful tool when introduced Thoughtfully. Consistency and positive experience are your best allies.
[00:14:03] Staci Lemke: It’s not too late to help your puppy see the crate as a cozy, predictable, and safe place. Teaching your puppy to be alone and to love their crate isn’t always easy, but it’s one of the most valuable things that you can do for their lifelong wellbeing. Teaching your pup to be comfortable in their own space helps them grow into confident, flexible, well-adjusted dogs.
[00:14:24] Staci Lemke: Whether your pup is brand new or already a little too independent, it’s never too late to build a better foundation. Remember, it’s not about locking them up. It’s about giving them a place to chill, recharge, and feel secure when you’re not around. And I’ve included a link in the show notes for you so that you can download my free crate training guide In it, I share four extra helpful tips that I didn’t talk about in this podcast.
[00:14:50] Staci Lemke: So you’re gonna wanna be sure to check that out. And finally, if this episode helped you feel a little more confident in your crate training journey, be sure to share it with a fellow puppy parent.
